This is a JapaneseWWllArmyofficer`ssword inmountings. The blade is signed \"Hizen koku Masatsugu肥前国正次\", dated \"Koki Nisen roppyaku san-nen Ichi-gatsu hi皇紀二千六百三年一月日 (a day Jan. 1043),shinogi-zukuri shape, WWll time period made blade. Masatsugu\'s real name isTaguchi Koichi,was borninKaratsu city,Sagaprefecture, in July 1904, made swords during WWll time period after the war as a Gendai sword smith, listed inJohn Slough\'sbook page106,107 and rated 1 Million yen.The blade is traditional hand forged,inold polish,shows fine scratches butno rustand ingood condition.The temper line ischu-suguba withko-choji temper and has deepo-maru temper at the point. The forging grain is tight itame-hada and no forging flaws at all. There is no bend, no crack and cutting edge issharp. The scabbardisheavy metalscabbard,no dents,no bendandingood condition. Thehandle is tight fit, tsuka-ito wrappingisno loose,no cutalso ingood condition.Lock mechanism works fine. Itmeasures 26+1/4\" tip to the guard, 25+3/8\" cutting edge,1+3/16\" width,7 mmthickness at the notch and39+1/4\" inmountings. Shipping is $25 priority in U.S.Payment due with in 3 days sale end.